A step sounded in the passage, and the sergeant appeared.

"Have you a trooper there ?" "There is Peter, who rode with me." "Let him look to this fellow.

Tell him to set him under lock and bolt here in the inn until I shall want him, and tell him that he shall answer for him with his neck." Kenneth drew back in alarm.
"Sir--Captain Hogan--will you explain ?" "Marry, you shall have explanations to spare before morning, else I'm a fool.

But have no fear, for we intend you no hurt," he added more softly.

"Take him away, Beddoes; then return to me here." When Beddoes came back from consigning Kenneth into the hands of his trooper, he found Hogan seated in the leathern arm-chair, with Ashburn's letter spread before him on the table.
"I was right in my suspicions, eh ?" ventured Beddoes complacently.
"You were more than right, Beddoes, you were Heaven-inspired.